The story could be related to the realities in most of the backward villages.

CAN YOU name the first item number in Indian cinema that set a popular trend? Was it Ramya Krishna's appearance in such a sequence in "Khal Nayak?"

But much before that, we had similar song sequences during the 60s' and 70s' in our films, passed off as club dances or the cabarets, performed by the villain's moll in his den.

And these sensuous sizzlers with even more bolder gyrations has now come to be identified as "item numbers." Debutant director, Dasari Brahmanandam, was shooting one such item number for Aishwarya Arts' maiden film, "Anaganaga Oka Voorilo" at a lavishly decorated private bungalow in Kondapur about 40 K.M. from Hyderabad.

First timers

Debut hero, Santhosh, a Bangalore girl, Rajani, along with scores of dancers were participating in the foot tapping number composed by first time music director, Rajkiran.

"It is not one of those regular kind of item numbers which is squeezed into the film for entertainment's sake," avers Brahmanandam.

"Besides entertaining, the song has some relevance in the theme too," he says, as choreographer, Sriram, is busy correcting the rhythm of the dancers.

The decorated bungalow and the song is part of the birthday bash of the village landlord (played by Surya). The hero works as his Man Friday.

The entire film is being shot in and around the villages of Kondapur.

"The story written by producer M.S.K is basically a rural- based love story interwoven with incidents of the landlord's tyranny."

"Surya plays the wicked landlord. He not only torments the farmers in the area, but tortures women at home too."

"Branding his first wife (played by Deepanjali) as a barren woman, he remarries and then plans for a third marriage. No one dares to question him.

An orphan, the hero who is initially loyal to the landlord soon revolts against his master's tyranny.

How the innocent village bumpkin accomplishes the task and brings cheer into the lives of the village folk and unites with his lady-love forms the interesting climax.

The director had earlier worked under veterans Kodanda Rami Reddy and Kodi Ramakrishna, almost for a decade; besides working in the directorial department for half-a-dozen films produced by K.S.Ramarao's CreativeCommercials.

Perfect cast

According to the director, he found the right man in Santhosh for the protagonist's role as he aptly fits into the role.

"His innocent looks made me zero in on him, for the role," says the director.

The heroine, Monisha, hails from Bangalore. Sarika Ramachandra Rao plays the alcoholic father of the heroine.

Gautham Raju is cast as an associate of the villain. The film does not have a separate comedy track, though there are light -hearted digs that emanate from the characters.

Debutante music director, Rajkiran, has done a good job in composing all the five songs which are melodious. The film is in the final stages of completion.

"The incidents in the story can be related to the realities in most of the backward villages in the country and that speaks for the title of the film. Once you see the film you will agree," says the enthusiastic looking debut director with a broad smile.

Producer M.S.K. plans to release the film in the last week of February.